Print this pageFeatures of a Steiner Curriculum
May there work here spirit - light in goodness;
Born from certainty of heart
And from steadfastness of soul,
So that we may bring to young human beings
Bodily strength for work, inwardness of soul
And clarity of spirit.
Teachers' Morning Verse: RUDOLF STEINER
Arising out of a deep understanding of child development and catering for each child’s individual temperament, Steiner education provides a balanced curriculum of intellectual knowledge, creative expression and practical experience in equal measure. The education addresses the very nature of the developing child – the threefold nature of thinking (intellectual development), feeling (aesthetic development) and willing (conscious activity) – in a rhythmical way as the cycles of childhood unfold allowing each stage of a child's growth to be fully experienced and enjoyed.
When these three faculties are fully realised and working in harmony together, well balanced individuals develop who are able to think clearly and broadly, feel deeply, and act rightly out of conscious and free choice. Every activity of every day arising out of a Steiner inspired caring curriculum seeks to develop these three faculties providing a holistic education that addresses the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the child.
Working through insights gained from a study of anthroposophy (awareness of one's humanity), teachers can creatively address each child's needs whilst weaving a rich tapestry of learning. By freely using art, craft, music and language in conjunction with the teaching of academics, learning becomes a living, creative process. The academic subjects are enriched and enlivened offering both sensory and intellectual nourishment, and a genuine love and internal motivation for learning develops in the children. This is aided on a more subtle level by a beautiful environment and quality natural materials, which play their part in nurturing the student's awareness of beauty and satisfaction in what they do.
The mood in the school is one of cooperation rather than competition. Even during game time, skill, teamwork and fun are seen as more important than the desire to win.
Evaluation of a child's progress is monitored through careful observation in all areas of development, rather than through standardized tests. Success is measured in the gradual unfolding of each child's unique human capacities.
program? That is not easy. They have to be continually finding themselves,
learning, growing, advancing from stage to stage with the help of others.
There is no repitition of last year; every year is a new adventure,
an exploration, not easy, but in it's effect a life renewing process,
a life of growing, maturing, and discovering in intimate working with one's collegues,
a life of dedicated service to the child becoming an adult".
Kit Wyndham, founder, The Armidale Waldorf School.